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(Charlotte Observer (NC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 21--After more than seven years at the helm of A Child's Place, Executive Director Annabelle Suddreth announced Friday that she will step down in May.

Suddreth said she will return to working as a consultant, to allow for more flexibility in her family life.

A Child's Place -- which works to lessen the effects of homelessness on children struggling in school -- has grown from serving 480 to 2,650 children annually during Suddreth's tenure.

In the 2012-13 school year alone, 99 percent of A Child's Place students were promoted to the next grade (compared with 64 percent nationally) and 92 percent read on grade level (compared with 48 percent nationally).

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported last year that there are 4,770 homeless students enrolled in the county's public schools.

Mike Robinson, president of the agency's board of directors, said the process of finding Suddreth's replacement will begin immediately.